The American Dream in The Joy Luck Club Essay - 1808 Words

The American Dream can mean a number of different things to number of different people. Over the years this ideal has evolved and its definition will continue to change for many more years to come. What has not changed is the desire to achieve this dream. For decades now, people from all over the world have immigrated to the United States with hopes of obtaining this dream. However it seems that, to many immigrants the American dream has a very different and more modest definition. To many foreigners it means having the basic necessities in life and giving their children opportunities and life they ever had. Immigration can be a good and a bad thing. On one hand the overall standard of living is better but on the other hand it is almost†¦show more content†¦As she recalls back on this time by telling her daughter what she calls her Kweilin story, Suyuan describes her feeling during this horrible time as â€Å"And inside I was no longer hungry for the cabbage or the turnips of the hanging rock garden. I could only see the dripping bowels of an ancient hill that might collapse on top of me. Can you imagine how it is, to want to be neither inside nor outside, to want to be nowhere and disappear?† (22) At this point in her life Suyuan was separated from her husband who is in the military and eventually is forced to abandon her two young daughters. This aspect of Suyuan’s life parallels the life of Amy Tan’s mother. Daisy tan was also married to a military man during the Chinese Civil War and like Suyuan was forced to abandon her two daughters in Shanghai. This was an experience that would affect her mother for the rest of her life and a story she would continue to tell and never forget. The life of Amy Tan is also a parallel to the life of Jing-Mei Woo of â€Å"June†. As a young girl June was forced to play the piano and practice constantly to become the best like Amy Tan was as a child. Along with playing the piano Suyuan also had high expectations for June as far as her future. She wanted her daughter to be the best in her class and go off to medical school to become a well educated doctor, the same expectation’s Amy Tan’s mother had for her. Both daughters decided to follow their dreams andShow MoreRelatedPlunging The Joy Luck Club by Amt Tan Essay1131 Words   |  5 PagesThe Joy Luck Club (1985) was written by Amy Tan (1952). The Joy Luck Club is the story of a Chinese mother who leaves everything behind, a mother who leaves her family in China in order to get her children (in this case our protagonist June) a better life. Or as Amy Tan says: â€Å"The Joy Luck Club, about a woman whose mother has just died and who regrets that she never knew who she truly was. The stories poured out. They were what I felt and had to say before it was too late. I had found my reason toRead MoreThe, The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls, And Flight By Sherman Alexie1466 Words   |  6 Pages to be a pict ure perfect family, and to be happy; these are the traits of the American dream. Although, in one s mind a specific picture forms when reading about the American dream this does not mean everyone is seeing the same landscape. A prevalent theme in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and Flight by Sherman Alexie is the potency and prevalence of diversity on the American dream. In each of these compelling works, connoisseurs get a taste of life from differentRead MoreThe, The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls, And Flight By Sherman Alexie1441 Words   |  6 Pages to be a picture perfect family, and to be happy; these are the traits of the American dream. Although, in one s mind a specific picture forms when reading about the American dream this does not mean everyone is seeing the same landscape. A prevalent theme in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and Flight by Sherman Alexie is the potency and prevalence of diversity o n the American dream. In each of these compelling works, connoisseurs get a taste of life from differentRead MoreThe Joy Luck Club : Jing Mei Woo1059 Words   |  5 PagesIn a way, Jing-mei Woo is the main character of The Joy Luck Club. (related to what holds something together and makes it strong), her stories serve as bridges between the two generations of storytellers, as Jing-mei speaks both for herself and for her dead mother, Suyuan. Jing-mei also bridges America and China. When she travels to China, she discovers the Chinese essence within herself, this way understanding a deep connection to her mother that she had always ignored. She also brings Suyuan sRead MoreThe American Dream : The Dream, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Happiness1161 Words   |  5 PagesThe American dream has been changing over the years. However, the reason it’s been changing may be more that the change of the times. At its core, the American dream is all about attitude. With the right outloo k, it can be whatever it is desired to be. Not only Americans can have the dream, but everyone can obtain this beautiful concept of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Joy Luck Club spends an enormous amount of time comparing the differences of the American dream with theRead MoreJoy Luck Club Cultural Analysis1387 Words   |  6 Pagesresponse deals with the children of immigrants. The Joy Luck Club mothers shared the same desire for their daughters which was to live the American dream and be successful. The mothers wanted their daughters to be Chinese but the girls were just too Americanised. When Waverly was worried that she might not be let back into the country following her trip to China, her mother Lindo scoffed that only her skin and hair were Chinese, inside she is all American-made. I have decided to look at an article onRead MoreThe Joy Luck Club1447 Words   |  6 Pagesimmigration to the United States took place bringing with it a new classification of American. However due to the intimidating cultural and social standards of the United States assimilation was inevitable. In reading Amy Tans thought provoking novel The Joy Luck Club, I am reminded of what has been termed for many decades as the American Dream. Based on the foundations of the Declaration of Independence, this dream entails the idea that we are all, regardless of race or creed, entitled to lifeRead MoreAmy Tan s The Joy Luck Club And The Kitchen God s Wife Essay1609 Words   |  7 PagesJonathan Nguyen Period: 3A February 25, 2016 LWA: Amy Tan Born on February 19, 1952, in Oakland, California, Amy Tan is introduced to the world as an American novelist. Amy Tan is known for being a worldwide artist, as she published two of her famous novels, The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God’s Wife. Often, people would think that successful people had a great start at a young age; yet, Amy Tan had experienced a rough childhood until she later became successful. Both of her parents, John andRead MoreAnalysis Of Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club1369 Words   |  6 PagesA Perspective of the American Dream The Joy Luck Club Was written by 1989 by Amy Tan, a first generation American born in 1952 to immigrant parents. Tan was raised by her mother, who had left kids back in China, and a father, who was a Baptist minister. She grew up in California and attended high school in Switzerland. At the age of 15 her brother and father died of a brain tumor. Tan perceives the American dream in the way that an Asian immigrant would, which would be to pass down what we know soRead More Improving Mother/Daughter Relationships in Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club1216 Words   |  5 PagesImproving Mother/Daughter Relationships in Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club One day everything is going great, in fact things could not be better and then you say something and your friend turns to you and says â€Å"oh my god, you sounded just like your mother†.   That is when you freak out and think to yourself it is true I am turning into my mother.   This is every daughters worst nightmare come true.   When a young girl is growing up her mother always says and does things that the girl vows she will never

Essay about Does Higher Education Need Affirmative Action

Does Higher Education Need Affirmative Action? Introduction Is affirmative action in higher education needed? This question provokes a myriad of emotions. Is affirmative action antiquated and unneeded in 21st century America? Or are the racial boundaries of this country’s ancestors still in effect? America’s Declaration of Independence states, â€Å"all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,† yet quotas, check marks, and plus factors give minority students advantages in the admission processes of the country’s universities and colleges (NARA). The obvious differences in what America says and what America does,†¦show more content†¦These programs have also undergone a name change, and are now known as outreach programs, as opposed to being named affirmative action programs. These outreach programs are thought to â€Å"correct a historical injustice† (Dobbs). This social injustice dates back to the days of slavery and the Civil Rights Act. Many believe that minorities are still being discriminated against, and special outreach programs are needed to level the playing field. â€Å"Affirmative action ensures that African American students are allowed access to prestigious universities such as Harvard and Berkeley, which have long been gateways to positions of power and influence in American society† (Glazer 14). Many believe that minority students will not have access to higher education if affirmative action programs are not in place. For example, if admission to higher education institutions was solely based on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SATs), minorities would be dramatically underrepresented (Glazer 17). In 2003, the average African American combined SAT score was 857, while the average Caucasian combined score was 1063 (Blum). It’s important to remember that many minority students do not have access to the same K-12 education as many Caucasian students do. Is it fair to punish the minority students for a below average high schoolShow MoreRelatedDoes Affirmative Action Make Moral Sense?1084 Words   |  5 PagesDoes affirmative action make moral sense? A moral being is one capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct, but a big question that follows concerns the idea if there even is such a thing as â€Å"right conduct.† â€Å"Whatever can be proved to be good, must be so by being shown to be a means to something admitted to be good† (Mill 6). In John Stuart Mill’s book, â€Å"Utilitarianism,† he states this notion where an individual assumes good things are good without knowing why they’re good. Defined fromRead MoreAffirmative Action Is The Current Method For Combating Systematic Racism1602 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative action is the current method for combatting the systematic racism and general bigotry that has long plagued American society. It is a source of much debate, both from the legal and moral perspectives. When it comes to higher education, it has been the subject of serval Supreme court decisions and many philosophical papers. Affirmative action’s stance makes a statement about how American society intends to handle its problems of bigotry; if it wants to ignore them, or if it wants to chooseRead MoreAfrican Americans And The Civil War1309 Words   |  6 Pagesdating back even before the Civil War. One of the fruition of these attempts is Affirmative Action, which was initially enforced â€Å"to ensure equality in hiring† among minorities. Later, Affirmative Action was amended to include education under its protection. Throughout its duration , however, it has alleviated the racial tension unsubstantially. Affirmative Action’s attempt to halt the racial disparities in higher education that has burdened the African Americans constitutes an inconsequential solution:Read MoreAffirmative Action Is A Moral And Just Purpose1279 Words   |  6 PagesAffirmative Action was originally established by former President John F. Kennedy on March 6, 1961 in his executive order, which included a provision that mandated federally funded projects to take â€Å"affirmative action† to ensure that hiring and employment were free of racial bias (#4). Over the years, colleges and universities began to adopt similar policies in their admissions process (#2). The purpose of affirmative action is to provide an equal ground for women and people of color in the workforceRead MoreLegal Aspect of Affirmative Action Essay1288 Words   |  6 PagesAffirmative action programs are often misunderstood. Each person has their own idea of wh at affirmative action really entails. This paper will provide an overview of the legal aspect of affirmative action. The differences between affirmative action programs and equal opportunity legislation will be explained. The positive arguments will be presented along with the negative arguments. The affects affirmative action has on the society of the United States will be analyzed. Finally the reactionsRead MoreThe Battle Over Affirmitive Action in the College World927 Words   |  4 PagesFor many the subject of affirmative action is worth protesting over, however, there are a few who would love to see the existence of affirmitive action abolished. Affirmative action has always been a long debated topic with two different communites arguing very different view points. Although affirmitive action can cause friction among many different opionated people, on the other hand, the results of the practice has ensured the college educations for many of minorities in America. Shoul d thisRead MoreAffirmative Action And Its Effects On Affirmative1263 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout America there are many different views on the effects of affirmative action. Many see it as a negative policy which gives an unnecessary advantage to minorities in America. In a 2009 Pew Poll, â€Å"58% of African Americans agree† and only â€Å"22% whites agree† that there should be â€Å"preferential treatment to improve the position of blacks and other minorities† (Public Backs Affirmative Action†). Today affirmative action and other racial injustices tend to be in the spotlight quite often, suchRead MoreEssay about Education and Affirmative Actions951 Words   |  4 PagesWhat does equality mean? For many centuries, America has had a difficult time answering that question. In the seventeenth and eighteenth century, African Americans were not equal since Americans called them property, put them in chains and beat those people. From the seventeen to the nineteen hundreds, women were forbidden to vote; they had to stay at home or work in small factory, thus, they were not equal. However, nowadays, issues of equality are challenged through affirmative action. Across theRead MoreAffermative Action1316 Words   |  6 PagesBy: Elissa Thomas E-mail: elissa@usais.net Affirmative Action Affirmative Action efforts were started in 1964 to end the long history of overlooking qualified people of color and women from higher education. Affirmative Action sets standards for a business or office of admissions, so that a white man does not have the upper-hand over an equally or greater educated minority. The initial way the government tried to justify Affirmative Action was to develop a human resource approach: first identifyingRead MoreAffirmative Action : African American And Hispanic870 Words   |  4 PagesRoberto Santiago’s essay Black and Latino reveals that even though he has been generally underrepresented by his ethnicity, he has led a successful life without affirmative action. Since Santiago was both African American and Hispanic he dealt with identity issues and stereotypes throughout his adolescent life. Even though affirmative action is supposed to make attempts to improve opportunities for groups that were historically excluded it is still a form of discrimination itself. The preference of

The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day Free Essays

The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day†¦. It’s the perfect place to relax after the pressure of working at a Caribbean bar. Everyday I come to the beach and sit around, it allows me to cool off from work and think about how bad or good my day has been. We will write a custom essay sample on The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day or any similar topic only for you Order Now The beach is always empty at this time and is perfectly located, right outside my house. Stretching a mile in either direction there is plenty of room for people to go who want to be alone, who want time to gather their thoughts and work out what has actually happened to day nd what hasn’t. It’s also the time when you usually realise you forgot to do something, that’s basically why I come here. As I look off down the beach I see the island as night approaches, in the distance the lights of hotels come on, the occasional car lights, the boats in the harbour turn their lights on and the lone cruise ship coming in lit up like a Christmas tree. The sunsets in the distance falling slowly behind the vast spread of water and already high in the sky the moon begins it’s over watch. The beach, now cast in a reddish old light begins to cool off from the hot day and the sea, sparkling in the fading light rolls quietly in. The palm trees behind, mostly in shadows sway in the gentle breeze. The occasional bird fly’s in to roost and the night creatures come out. On the beach a small crab dashes from hole to hole in search of food and like an opaque blob a jellyfish patiently waits for the sea to return. By now the beach is quiet, only the relaxing sounds remain, the sea as it sloshes up the beach the breeze as it gently blows through the alms, the birds calling their night calls and the nocturnal animals announcing that they are awake. I feel much more relaxed and cooled off now, it like someone has lifted all the weight of the days work off my shoulders allowing me to slouch here and do nothing. I start to play with the sand as a sit and stare out to see, I feel the grains running though my fingers like dry water, the coolness of the sand also helps to relax me. Also the cool breeze coming in from the sea seems to refresh me from the typical Caribbean heat. As I look around and consider going in another crag sidesteps in front of me, its legs sounding like small pebbles as the hit the sand, I smile as it randomly changes direction as though it were lost on to him is a vast desert like beach. Sitting here, alone makes me feel like nothing matters, that however bad things can get there is peace you just need to know where to find it and I have, here. Sighing I get up and plod back into my house, thinking of the horror awaiting me at the bar tomorrow. How to cite The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day, Papers

Libel And Invasion Of Privacy Essay Example For Students

Libel And Invasion Of Privacy Essay Libel and invasion of privacyLibel and invasion of privacy are two very important issues dealing with broadcast media. The two are very similar but different from each. Libel deals more with what was actually printed or broadcast, where as invasion of privacy deals with how the information was actually gathered. Both have laws to regulate and influence what kind of information is gathered and, how it is actually obtainedLibel simply is defamation of character by published word, the publishing of falsities to hurt a persons reputation or standing. However, now it is not limited to only printed word as in newspapers or magazines. Slander, which is defined as defamation of character by spoken word is now portrayed as a form of libel because of the abundance and power the broadcast spoken word can have as in radio and television. However, libel has a much stronger penalty than that of slander because print is seen to have a much more long lasting effect, and once something is on paper yo u cant take it back. On the other hand, with tape recordings and the fact that any spoken defamation can de saved and distributed, radio and TV most times fall in the libel category. Invasion of privacy in fact does have strong ties with that of libel. Though it does hurt a person or organizations character, it deals more with how the information is obtained. Simply stated privacy laws deal with a persons right to be left alone. There are more specifically four types of violation of someones privacy. The first one is called intrusion, which is the actual physical violation of someones privacy, as in trespassing to obtain information. The second is appropriation, which is commercial exploitation of a persons image or likeness with out consent. Thirdly is false light, portrays someone in false light or gives false pretences. Lastly is information on private facts, that are actually true but private, and that will severely embarrass or hurt someones reputation. Through these definitions and specifics on each, it is easy to see how both intertwine and are closely related. Now what we know what each is it is time to examine which of the two is a more serious concern. Personally, in understanding the two, I would have to say that libel is a more serious issue with broadcast media. To be more specific, the worst possible thing a journalist or media outlet can do is to ruin the character of a private person. That is to say it is a much more serious offense to publish false information about some one who is not in the public eye. Subsequently, it is much harder for a public figure to prove libel because he or she must prove actual malice, that the medium actually intended to hurt the person with these words. More over, I feel that libel is worse because it is the actual publishing or broadcasting of the information that can hurt a person and once it is published you cant take it back. However because of this, the idea of false light, private fact s and libel are very closely connected here. Its easy to see and understand the ideas of intrusion and appropriation. In fact many media slightly encourage their reporter to dig up dirt by either trespassing or sneaking around to get information, and as well to use a persons picture with out consent. However the two more serious of the privacy laws are very much like that of libel. To fully understand we much focus on these three aspects of the issue. Above all, it is the medias job to publish what is true. It is its job to give the audience news and that of truthful news. The most serious concern with the media is that what they reveal to the audience must be true because as a society we are greatly influenced by what we read, hear, and see through the press. This is why libel is more serious than privacy issues. Publishing false or inaccurate information directly is the biggest, and most devastating thing a journalist or media can do. That is the underlining factor of the two. Pub lishing private and true embarrassing facts may hurt someone severely, but journalists feel that it is a right for a person in the audience to know the truth. Ethically, the journalist must give the facts. Journalistic ethics understands that the worst possible thing is to give false information. .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 , .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .postImageUrl , .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 , .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:hover , .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:visited , .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:active { border:0!important; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:active , .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1 .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7d058dd0b8eeb7dec9bcfb444b3b7bd1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Why Did the Polls Get it Wrong in 1992? Essay PaperNot only is it ethically wrong, but also, through the law, libel is a bigger problem. In actuality most initial invasion of privacy suits, especially in false light are changed to libel suits because they are more damaging. Libel suits are very expensive, upwards to a half a million dollars just for the cost to defend against a suit. Then, there is the cost of damages, which can as well be close to a million dollars. Finally once a libel suit has been made the journalist and the medium he or she works for can face many non-financial ramifications. Understanding the above statements of the fact that the integrity of the story and the truth of it is most important, the journalist, and the medium may have more long term damages to there career. If reporting the truth is the most important and the reporter unveils false information, what can happen? The journalist and the media may get a bad reputation themselves and they may ruin there credibility. Once credibility of a press outlet is lost it is tough to gain it back from the audience. Who wants to read or listen to a broadcast that doesnt tell the truth? Most importantly libel has a much more long-term effect on both the media and the person who the false information was about. I wanted to save an example for the end, and the best one I can think of is this. Most true information about someone, someone else knows about, and therefore other people will soon learn. I pose this question. What would be worse? Digging up information and finding that the new mailman is really a rapist that the police have direct records of, or falsely accusing the new mailman of being a racist when in fact he is nothing of the kind? Its easy for me to say it is much worse to falsely publicize the news of the man than it is to give true information about him, even though you may have obtained in an unethical manor. Giving the truth is the most important aspect of the media and if we as a society cant believe what they say, why should we listen. I believe the media runs the world and people are going to believe what the media tells us. There is no way around it. In this overwhelming case, it is of utmost importance that it gives us the truth. Did someone say Vice President Al Gore won Florida? How about NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, FOX, and any body else. Now look whats happening. Films and Cinema